Investigating Feasibility of Using Sileto for Bridge Deck Overlay

Bridge decks across the United States continue to experience deterioration due to reinforcement corrosion, environmental exposure, and increasing traffic demands. Traditional overlay materials such as normal-strength concrete and some polymer-based systems often exhibit limitations related to durability, bond performance, curing time, or long-term crack resistance. Sileto, as a viable material for bridge deck overlays, has demonstrated promising mechanical and durability characteristics in preliminary studies conducted by Florida International University (FIU) and Construction Technologies Laboratories (CTL), with compressive strengths approaching 12,000 psi at 28 days and durability behavior comparable to ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC). However, its feasibility and performance as a bridge deck overlay system has not yet been validated through comprehensive structural testing. To this end, the research will combine small-scale material-level tests and large-scale structural tests to establish bond behavior, durability, abrasion resistance, long-term performance under cyclic loading, and overall structural capacity. The scope includes (1) direct bond testing on small specimens to evaluate surface preparation methods and overlay thickness effects; (2) freeze-thaw durability and long-term bond assessment; (3) abrasion resistance testing in accordance with ASTM C944; and (4) large-scale testing of a steel-girder-supported concrete deck upgraded with a Sileto overlay, including five million load cycles followed by ultimate load testing and post-test forensic evaluation. The results will provide critical performance data, recommended construction protocols, and preliminary guidance for implementation of Sileto as a practical overlay system. Outcomes of this project directly support the Innovative Bridge Technologies/Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (IBT/ABC-UTC) mission by introducing fast-curing, durable, and field-deployable material that can reduce construction time, minimize traffic disruption, and significantly enhance the service life of aging bridge infrastructure.

• Record URL:
  • https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/investigating-feasibility-of-using-sileto-for-bridge-deck-overlay/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $70,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348322

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Innovative Bridge Technologies/Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (IBT/ABC-UTC)

  Florida International University
  Miami, FL  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Florida International University

  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  10555 W. Flagler Street, EC 3680
  Miami, FL  United States  33174
• Principal Investigators:

  Azizinamini, Atorod

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20270630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesive bond strength; Bridge decks; Durability; Feasibility analysis; Load tests; Pavement overlays
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01998452
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Innovative Bridge Technologies/Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (IBT/ABC-UTC)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348322
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 7 2026 8:30AM